Convertible seat and berth arrangement



' July 22,1941; E. G. EMERY, JR; E-m- 2,250,193

CONVERTIBLE SEAT AND BERTH ARRANGEMENT Filed April 14, 19s? 4 Sheets-She et 1 I Fig.1

Sumter 5110116 EmelyJrfludsonIlhflen Jr. 7 W

y 2 E. e. EMERY, JR., EFAL A 2,250,193

I CONVERTIBLE SEAT AND BERTH ARRANGEMENT Filed April 14, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A I Ihwgntor EllioiIG r-ImdsonT BHen J r.

y 22, 4 E. s. EMERY, JR., Emu. 0,

CONVERTIBLE SEAT AND BERTH ARRANGEMENT Filed April 14, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 y 22, 1941- E. s. EMERY, JR., ETAL 2,250,193

CONVERTIBLE SEAT AND BERTH ARRANGEMENT I Filed April 14. 1,93? 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 filhofiGlimerylrrfiudsonT; FaUenJY.

' standard length and I load in an airplane.

. association with Patented July 22,1941

CONVERTIBLE SEAT AND ARRANGEMENT Elliott G. Emery, dr andfludson 'r. 2 Seattle, Wash, assignors,

ments, to Boeing Aircraft BERTH Patten, Jr.,

by mesne assign- Company, Seattle,

Wash, :1; corporation-oi Washington Application April 14, 1937, Serial No.136,742-

23 Claims.

Our invention is for an arrangement which can be set up either as a seat or as a berth. and

preferably as an upper and a lower berth, which arrangement is particularly suited for employment in an airplane or similar vehicle.

Characteristics ofour device are its compactness and light weight coupled with its simplicity of construction of elements which may be con-v verted from incorporation in a berth assembly to a seat with ease. Such a structure is well adapted for use in airplanes where -reduction of weight to a minimum is of extreme importance and space is limited.

The principal object of our invention is to provide such a structure which can be made up into a'spaciousand comfortable seat, or which can be transformed almost entirely by use'oi' the seat elements into a an upper and a lower berth, which will be of of comfortable width. Such an upper and lower I a single seatof a. width equal to the length of the berth, or from the elements in combination of two seats of normal depth facing each other.

In referring to the seats they will be considered as having depth from front to rear, and as having width transversely to their depth, but in referring to the berthstheir length will be understood as running lengthwise of the occupant, and their width will be-the distance from side to side. It will be seen that the length of one type of berth will be the width of the seat from which it is formed, whereas the length of the other berth from which It is, a further object to provide such a seat it is formed.

, arrangement, and cushions therefor, that the seat and back cushions may be used as mattresses, when thestructure is converted into berth form, yet to employ cushions in the seat of a form that is most conducive to the comfort of the oc-. cupant. Frames to support such cushions as mattresses are constructed so that they may be stored quickly in small -space, preferably as part of the seat, and though strong will be light, to facilitate handling, and to lessen the nonpay Another object of ourinvention is to provide easily removable upper berth supports, arm rests,

and similar elements which can' be assembled and taken down quickly, and stored as part of or in the seat, but which when in place or when sostored will be held securely, so that they cannot become disconnected or dislodged unintentionally;

berth and preferably both'- berth may be formed from,

will parallel the depth of-the seatsure 3 is a view similar may be effected by one skilled in the the same line but showing trapezoidal seat cushions in Still other objects, and in particular those inherent in'the unique details'of our device, will be discussed hereafte Our invention includes the novel form and of such assembly from one structure into the other, as illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification, the novel characteristics'of which are defined in the claims appended hereto.

The drawings,

of diii'erent types,- alterations within the scope of our invention our invention particular situation at hand.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of our device in seat-forming position, showing certain parts removed and certain other parts brokenaway.

Figure 2 is a transverse section of our device in seat-forming relation, showing certain parts partially inelevation and partly in section. Fig

the parts are shown in berth-forming relation instead of in seat-forming position.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary views, showing details of our device, Figure 4 being a vertical section of a portion of Figure 3, while Figure 5 is a plan view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4, Figure 6 is a side elevation view of a portion 0 ure 2, showing certain parts in section.

Figure 7 is a side elevation view of a slightly showing the parts tion' taken transversely oi one-half of a facing seat arrangement from one end thereof to the, center line, of the type shown in Figure 7, with the parts in berth-forming position.

Figure 9 is a view in plan, with parts broken away, Oi'frame members of the type shown'in Figure 7, in berth-forming position.

Figure 10 is a view in elevation taken along the line llll0 in Figure 9 except that the parts are 7shown in seat-forming position ,as in Figure Figure 11 is ai'ragmentary view taken along the disposition of the mattress-formingposition. 1

Figures 12 and 13 are fragmentary elevation to Figure 2 except that 7 Fieure8isasec-- members While the form of to the frame in any suitable manner.

and sectional views, respectively, Figure 12 lllustrating the manner of assembling the frame of Figure 9 in berth-forming position, and Figure 13 showing them assembled.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary vertical section, showing in detail one connection in a joint between the berths sectional frames of Figure 9.

Figure 15 is a vertical section of the same joint connection, taken on line -45 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is through theother connection of the frame joint 7 shown in Figure 9.

our device shown in Figures 7 and 8 has been described as a modified a. section similar .to Figure 15 form, it employs the same principles of construc tion, and may advantageously be combined with a construction of the type shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive. Thus two oppositely facing seats of the type shown in Figure 1 may project from a starboard wall S, of an airplane cabin, for 20 example, while a seat and berth arrangement of "the type shown in Figures '7 and 8 may be disposed at the aisle end of the seat arrangement of Figurel, projecting from'the port wall P of the cabin. The two oppositely facing seats on the starboard side, seating three persons each, will seat in all six persons, and will provide sleeping accommodations for four persons, while the modified seat arrangement on the port side of the cabin, including two oppositely facing seats,

will seat four or two persons, depending upon its width, and will provide sleeping accommodations for two persons. Thus such a port and starboard assembly might form a compartment providing spacious and comfortable seating accommodation-s forten or eight persons and sleeping accommodati-ons for six persons.

While the suggested arrangement is convenient and practicable, it is evident that for cabins of .cylindrically by the superposition of two trapezoidal cushions 3 and 30 to form a mattress. By the term trapezoldal" we refer to cushions which are thicker along one longer edge than along the other longer edge, so that a transverse section will be trapezoidal in shape. This term is alsojintendedjo include a cushion of triangular cross section, which, of course, is merely a special form of trapezoid wherein the narrower edge is reduced to a line. Hence when the cushions are superposed with the thicker edge of one substantially in a vertical plane with the thinner edge of the other, a mattress of uniform thickness results.

The upper berth is of the same length and width as the lower berth, and includes a frame 2' much like the frame 2, having a margin 20' and curved cross pieces 2|, all of tubular material. A similar cover sheet 22 is also stretched over the frame and secured thereto. The only jecting rearwardly from the rear edge of the frame 2, in berth-forming position are curved downwardly, and each terminates in a horizontal,

concave socket 24 extending perpendicular to the lug and adapted to seatupon. a horizontal pin 25 secured in the adjacent wall structurein a position parallel the frame. By the engagement of the socket 24 over the pin 25 the rear edge of the frame 2' is supported, and by engagement of the lug 23 with the upper edge of the wall socket which-contains the pin (see Figure 3) the lug can not become disengaged fromthe pin so long as theframe 2' is horizontal. Engagement and disengagement is accomplished with the frame in a, downwardly inclined position. The front edge of the frame is supported in horizontal positionfrom the frame 2 of the lower. berth by vertical struts 4-, which large size an arrangement such as illustrated in 4 Figure 1, including two oppositely facing seats, might be installed both on the starboard and on the port side of the cabin to increase the seating and sleeping accommodations. On the other hand, for a narrower cabin, the arrangement shown in Figures 7 and 8 might be used exclusively, sets of oppositely facingseats of this type being placed on each side of the cabin.

Describing first the seat and berth structure of Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, reference is made, to Figure'3, showing our device in berth-forming position. Between two fixed end supports l and I0 (see Figure l) is supported a frame 2 of approximately 6 feet in length and 2 /2feet in width. To provide a frame of maximum strength for its weight it is composed of a rectangular marginal member in the form of a, metal tube 26, preferably of an aluminum alloy, which is strengthened centrally by transverse struts 2|.

may be locked into the frame members 20 and 20', or by any other suitable means. Details of a satisfactory lock are shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The lock of the strut 4 to the marginal tube 20 I may be the same as the lock between the tube 4 and the tube 20, and hence only one such means will be described. A plug 40 may be welded or, bolted into the openend of the tube 4. This plug has an outwardly projecting pin ,4! with a spade-shaped head formed by securingwto'the 0 lower enddf the pin a plate 42. This head may,

These struts are preferably curved downwardly so that a-dished frame is formed, across which may be stretched a sheet of flexible material 22 such as canvas or netting, which, under the weight of an occupant, will sag somewhat into the dished frame to provide a resilient support of comfortable contour.

be swung upward for cleaning beneath it. The

lower' berth is completed, as shown in Figure 3,

be inserted into. a slot 26 having an enlarged circular central portion ofa size to receive the ,After the plate 42 and the end of pin- 4l have been inserted into this slot the-strut 4 may be turned throughv an angle of.90 degrees to dispose the plate inthe position shown in dotted lines in Figure 5, so that the head will be locked in the tube 20 and cannot be withdrawn endwise therefrom without rotation. To privide a resilient bearing between each frame and strut, a rubber washer 43 may be interposed between the end of the. tube 4 and block 40, and'the metal bearing washer 44. 1

In addition to or in substitution for the struts 4, suspension cables 45, for interconnection between the frame 20' and a'ceiling fixture, may be provided to support the upper frame. The

upper berth is then completed by using as a mattress the seat back cushion, which is preferably formed of two sections 5 and .50 having adjacent edges hinge'dly and permanently joined 7 for a purpose which will be described hereafter.

to the length of.

' the struts 4 edge, with suitable the upper position, but now the frame of the seat.

' such intermediate to be engaged by belts secured across the seat or berth occupants.

In converting the upper and lower berth structure shown in Figure 3 into a seat, as shown in Figure 2, the seat back cushion, '5, 50,is removed, are rotated into unlocked position, and byv swinging upward the front edge of the frame 2" these struts 4 may be removed from both frames. now disconnected. socket 24 engaging The suspension members Because of the shape of the be withdrawn directly away from the wall. Instead the now unsupported front edge of the frame must be allowed to.swing downward and backward into an inclined position until the open side of the socket 24 faces rearwardly. The frame may now be drawn outward away from the pin 25, and thus completely removed, from berthforming position, and the upper berth has been completely taken down.

Next thecushions 3 and 30 are removed from the lower berth. While these cushions may be of a length to extend from end to end of the berth, we prefer that they be only a fraction of this length, so that the several sets of these cushions which constitute the several seats will be required 'to fill the complete length. The struts 4 may be stored as shown in Figures 1 and 2 on top of the frame 2, preferably at its front means .(not shown) to hold them in such position. The frame? is now inverted, and with the lugs 23 projecting -rearwardly, is laid on top of the frame 2. To look the frame 2' securely in place pins 2'! are provided, which are secured to the wall structure directly beneath and parallel to the pins 25. If the front edge of the frame 2 is now raised upwardly, the lugs 23 may be moved rearwardly to engage their sockets 24 beneath the pins 21, Lowering the front edge of the frame 2' will now look the frame in position, as it was locked in superposed upon 2. Thestruts 2| and 2| of the respective frames curve in opposite directions, the latter forming partitions extending transversely The upper portions of the fixed end supports I and III may be formed and upholstered as arm rests i2 and [3, respectively., Intermediate removable arm rests 6 may be provided,- one at each partition formedby the frame struts. While arm rests might be formed integral with the struts 2l' to project downward from the frame 2' when disposed in berth-forming position, and upward therefrom in seatforming position, we prefer that they be removable. A suitable construction for these elements is shown in detail in. Figures 2 and 6. The core consists of a bent tubular member 60, the horizontal rearward endof which has secured therein, by welding or in any other suit-- able manner, a plug terminating in a bifurcated plate adapted to engage by endwise movement 9. pin 62. Thispin is secured to the wall structure preferably in a position coplanar with and parallel to the pins 25 and 21.

With the horizontal portion of thus supportingly engaged, a pin 63, as shown in Figure 6, having a slightly enlarged head and formed on the end of a plug secured in the upright forward end of the core tube 60, may be the pin 25, as shown in Fig-- ure 3, it will be evident that the frame 2' cannot 1 30 and arranging the member 60 inserted into a hole piercing the strut 2| of the section and the wall. a seat back adjustable bushing 28 may be inserted into and secured in the tube-2|, and provided with a holeslightly smaller than the pin 63 and in registry with the strut apertures. The. enlarged end of the pin may be forced through the bushing hole, and the pin, thus seated in and gripped by the rubber bushing, will hold the arm rest firmly in place. To complete the arm rest any suitable padding 64 may be secured around the tubular core 60.

with the frame! and the arms 6 secured in place in the manner described, the seat'may be completed by replacing the seat cushions 3 and the back cushions 5, 50. These latter, like the seat cushions, are preferably only a fraction of the wardly sloping seat is formed, which is more comfortablethan one in which the seat is precisely. horizontal.

The back cushion, including the parts 5, 50, may-now be arranged with the wider section 5 disposed upright and facing outward from the wall, which serves as a back rest for the cushion, while the narrower section 50 is doubled back beneath the section 5 and lies between the latter This arrangement provides in inclination. The lower edge of the sectiori- Ii the section 50 is being moved upwardly along the wall, until the parts assume the relative broken line positions shown in Figure 7. In Figure 2 an intermediate position of the cushion is shown. In every position it will be evident that the secintentionally. changed by altering the angular relationship between the two sections 5 and 5.0, the angle of the section I to the seat will not be disturbed accidentally by pressure thereagainst.

The general structural wall at the back of the oppositely facing seat. However, as the depth of two seats, from rear to front, is still not suiiicient to make up the length of a berth, a separable intermediate section or mid-section is interposed between each frame which constitutes a normal part of the seat, as

After such heretofore described. The length of a lower berth frame is thus made up of three sectionstwo end sections which form part of the seat frames of the two separate chairs, and a midsection joining them. The upper berth frame is similarly made up of three sections. Such a. midsection is secured to and supported from each corresponding end section, and bridges the gap between the-latter. In seat-forming position the separable niid sections'are stowed beneath the chairs, as shown at 11 and 18 in Figure 7, or in any convenient place. One-half of such a berth structure is shown in Figure 8, with the parts in I berth-forming arrangement.

Each of the two end sections of the dished lower berth framework is formed with three coplanar marginal members .10 disposed to form one end of a rectangle, and a downwardly curved cross strut 1|, corresponding to the struts 2|. Each end section, in berth-forming or in seatforming position, is supported on brackets I l, extending outward from the side wall, and inward from the end frame l0, and by suitable means engaging the end wall, such as a hinge mounting similar to that employed at 29 for the frame 2. Between the downwardly curved struts or ends 1|, of the two end sections, is supported a frame mid-section, made up of parallel coplanar marginal side elements 11 adapted to be aligned with the marginal side elements of the end sections, and having their ends joined by downwardly curved cross struts 18. The struts 1B are adapted to be disposed in registry with he struts 11 when the mid-section is inserted between the two end sections to form the complete frame 1. Approximately adjacent the extremities of the transverse struts H, I the transverse struts 18, socket members 12 and 13 are secured to receive headed pins 14 and 15, which project outwardly from the transverse struts 18 of the mid-section. The socket members 13 (Figure 12) consist of a pocket open at thetop and having an outwardly facing wall provided with a keyhole slot opening at the upper edge of the wall. The headed pin has a head of a width and thickness for reception in the pocket ofthe socket member 13, and a shank of rectangular cross section, of a width to move downward through its slot into the lower circular part of the keyhole slot. The width of this rectangular shank approaches the diameter of the circular part of the keyhole slot, so that it rotation out of alignment with the narrow part of the slot will prevent upward movement as in Figure 13. The socket member 12, on the other hand, has in its face a groove extending from the upper edge of the socket wall to the circular aperture, the full width of the aperture. The shank of the engaging pin it is therefore not flattened, but ts cylindrical, and of a size to drop down through the slot into the bottom of the circular aperture whatever angular position the pin may assume with respect to the socket.

To insert the mid-section of the frame-1 between the two end sections, therefore, the shanks 15 are first lowered edgewise into the socket members 13 at the side of the frame away from the aisle. During this operation the frame mid-section will be held at an inclined angle, illustrated in Figure 12, since the position of the shank 15 as shown in Figures 13 and 16 is that which it assumes when the frame section is horizontal. insertion the edge of the mid-section remote from the wall will be lowered until the pin shanks 14 engage in the socket members 12. with the frame rotated to this horizontal posi-' tion it will be evident that the pin shanks 15 are locked in the sockets 13, and with the parts in such relation a continuous frame, approximately 6v feet long and 3 feet wide, will be formed. Each section of the frame is provided with 'a sheet of material 16 stretched over it, as in the form pre viously described. ,To complete the lower berth the triangular seat cushions 3' and 30' are disposed in superposed relation with the thick edge of one lying above the thin edge of the other, and

these are then placed on the frame with their greater dimension extending lengthwise of the frame, two such pairs of seat cushions forming a mattress over the entire length of the frame, but of a width slightly less than the frame width.

The upper berth consists of a frame 1' which is substantially identical with the frame of the lower berth, including a similar mid-section. The side of the frame next to the wall is supported by tension members 45 adapted to be attached to ceiling fixtures. Unintentional upward movement of the frame ends is prevented by provision of a pivoted latch bar to swing out over the marginal tube 10', thereby to hold it down in the supporting bracket means. Struts 4, as described previously, may be used to support the edge of the upper frame nearer the aisle. When not in use these struts also may be stored between the upper and lower adjoining the extremities of berth frames disposed in seat forming position of Figures 1 and 2 as previously described, or in any convenient storage space. The upper berth is completed by placing lengthwise thereof the greater dimension of the back cushions 5, 50. A full length upper benth will thus be formed, al-

though the width of the mattress elements may be slightly narrower than the frame.

The modified form with the parts in seatforming arrangement is shown in Figure '7. The frame end-sections of the lower berth remain in position. Each frame end-section of the upper berth, after removal, is placed on a lower frame end-section after being turned end for end and inverted, so that the curved cross strut H (see Figure 7) is disposed at the rear of the seat. In this position it will not interfere with the disposition of the seat cushions as shown at 3 and 30 and the marginal member iii, opposite the strut'1i', will lie across the chord of the downwardly curved strut 1i and comprise a level support for the front end of seat cushion 3. Any suitable latching means such as lugs 23' and pins 21' engaged thereby may be provided for restraining the frame end sections of the upper berth from endwise movement, when disposed in this seat-forming position. The seat and back cushions may now be put in place to complete the seat. The mid-sections, including the side members 11 and curved struts it, may be disposed one under each of the two facing seats, inverted so that the struts l8 curve upwardly, and there secured in stored position. In this modified form it will be noted that no central removable arm rests are employed, for here the cushions are of a width to extend across the entire width of the seat, and each seat can accommodate two. persons.

What we claim as our invention is:

Ii, or by any-equivalent sition being same adjacent its ends, elevated above the floor of the compartment to a height convenientfor a lower berth or seat, the same framework including linear marginal tubular members and transverse struts interconnecting the side marginal members at points spaced therealong and downwardly curved to allow space for the sag of mattress means supported from the side marginal members, under the weight of an occupant, thereby to provide a resilient support of comfortable contour, an upper berth framework of substantially the same length and breadthas said lower berth framework and including marginal tubular members and downwardly curved transverse tu-bul-ar struts interconnecting the side marginal members and corresponding in position to the struts of said lower berth framework, means to support the upper berth framework above the lower berth framework in berth-forming position, said upper berth framework in seat-forming-poverted upon said lower berth framework, to form the upper portion of a seat frame, and with its transverse struts upwardly curved to define, in combination with each other and with the end members of said marginal frame, the widths of individual seats, means to maintain the said two frameworks in such relative position in seatforming position, a flexible web secured to and stretched over each such framework, and seat and back cushion means shaped to rest upon the upper berth framework, between the cross struts thereof, when the latter is in seat-forming position, or to rest upon the said flexible sheets to constitute a mattress when said frameworks are in berth-forming position.

2. The combination of claim 1, and removable arm rests each releasably engaged by an upwardly curved strut of the. upper berth framework in seat-forming position, and disposed between the seat cushion means at each side of such strut.

3. An upper and a lower berth arrangement convertible to form similar, oppositely facing seats, comprising a sectional lower berth framework, including an end section separable from the rest of such framework and having an arched cross member, an upper berth framework includ-' ing an end section separable from the rest of such framework and having a similarly arched cross member, means to support said two frameworks in spaced, superposed, berth-forming position with their arched cross members projecting downward, said upper berth end section being shaped complementally to said lower berth end section to rest thereupon in seat-forming position with the arched cross member of the upper berth section projecting upward and the arched cross member of the lower and seat cushion means of a size and shape to cover said upper berth framework end section when the latter is in seat-forming position.

4. An upper and lower berth arrangement convertible to form oppositely facing seats, comprising a sectionallower berth framework including two end sections, each incorporating linear marginal tubular members and at the central end a downwardly curved transverse tubular strut, and a center section incorporating linear side tubular members and, at each end, a downwardly curved formed and shaped to rest when inberth--section projecting downward,,

lower berth center work and projecting upper berth framework being shaped for dispositlon in seat-forming position by being disconnectedfrom the upper berth center section, removedfrom berth-forming position swung end for end, inverted, 'and superposed upon an end section of said lower berth framework supported by said first means, after disconnection of the section from such end section, with the transverse struts of said superposed upper and lower end edges of the seat and curved oppositely, means to retain the upper berth end-sections in such seat-forming position, and seat cushion means of a size and shape to cover an upper berth framework end section in seat-forming position.

5. A seat structure convertible to form a berth,

comprising a substantially level support, two insubstantially uniform thickness.

6. A seat convertible into a berth comprising a frame disposed substantially at seat level, a secposition.

8. An upper and lower berth vertible to form a seat, framework,

ets spaced lengthwise arrangement con comprising an upper berth of the upper berth framerearwarclly from the rear edge thereof, each bracket beingprovided with a pin receiving socket,

sections disposed at opposite V a lower berth framework, two brackw two pins secured to said tubular member of the upper wall in a horizontal position parallel thereto at the height of the upper berth, two pins disposed parallel to said first two pins and secured to the wall immediately above said lower berth framework, said'first two pins being engageable by the pin-receiving sockets of the upper berth framework by movement thereof toward such pins in aposition inclined downward therefrom, said pins after engagement by the bracket sockets guiding the upper berth framework for swinging upward into a horizontal position, and in such position restraining movement of the framework away from the wall, said second two pins being engageable by the bracket sockets by advancing the upper berth framework toward such pins in an inverted position and inclined upward from such pins, said pins thereafter guiding the framework for swinging downward into horizontal position framework independent of the lower berth framework, struts interengageable between the front berth framework and the front tubular member of the lower berth framework, each such front member being provided with a slot adjacent shaped head formed on each strut end and receivable in the adjacent slot of a frameworks front tubular member, each strut being rotatable to turn its framework engaged spade-shaped heads 'within the slotted tubular members to displace the plane of each head from the plane of its slot, and thus to lock each strut end to the marginal member of a framework engaged thereby.

10. A convertible seat and berth arrangement for aircraft, comprising a first framew rk, including a marginal frame and a sheet sup rted therein, said framework being supported below seat level and constituting a lower berth and also the lower portion of a seat frame, an independent and separable similar framework, also including a marginal frame and a sheet supported therein, shaped similarly to the first framework to rest thereon and constituting the upper p'ortion'of aseatframe, means to removably secure the second framework in such seat-.

forming position, to complement and strengthen the first framework, a set of seat cushions of a size and shape in the aggregate to rest upon and to cover the second framework, and to constitute the seat of the arrangement, or to rest upon the sheet of one of the said frameworks to 'constitute a mattress therefor, a set of loose back cushions of a size and shapein the aggregate to rest upon the sheet of the other framework to constitute a mattress therefor and in seatforming position of the frameworks to rest upon and to be supported above the second framework in inclined position, to constitute the back of the seat arrangement, and means to support the second framework elevated above the first, to constitute an upper berth.

11 In a convertible seat and berth arrangement for aircraft, aseat, comprising a composite framework including a lower framework supberth arrangement,

to a strut end, a spadeported below seat level and including linear marginal members and a downwardly curved transverse strut spaced work also including linear marginal members and a downwardly curved transverse strut spaced from the ends to define a plurality of seats, said upper framework being so shaped as to rest upon the lower framework, in inverted position, with its transverse strut curved upwardly, means to removably secure the upper framework in such position, to complement and strengthen the first framework, to complete the said composite seat framework, a set of loose seat cushions individually sized and shaped to rest upon the upper portion of the composite framework and to conform to the seating spaces defined by the said transverse struts, and of a size and shape in the aggregate to cover one of the frameworks to constitute a mattress therefor, a set of loose back cushions to rest upon and be supported in an inclined position from the said seat cushions, in seat-forming position to constitute the back of the seat arrangement and of a size and shape to cover one of said frameworks as a mattress, and means to support said upper framework elevated above the lower framework to define a lower and upper berth arrangement.

12. In a convertible seat and berth arrangement for aircraft, a seat frame including a lower rectangular framework having two parallel coplanar marginal tubular members and a transverse curved tubular strut connecting said parallel members, an upper framework of substantially the same size and shape as said lower framework including two parallel coplanar marginal tubular members and a transverse curved tubular strut, similarly connecting the parallel members, the upper frame, in seat-forming position, being removably secured in position upon the lower frame with its parallel members resting upon the parallel members of the said lower frame and with its curved strut directed upwardly, a web stretched over the coplanar members of each of said lower and upper frameworks, seat cushion means of a size and shape to form mattress means for one such framework, and in seat-forming position to cover and to rest upon the upper framework and to be additionally supported by the said webs, and back cushion means of a size and shape to form mattress means covering the other such framework, and to rest upon said seat cushion means to constitute a back for the seat, and means to support said upper framework elevated above the lower framework.

13. A berth arrangement for aircraft comprising a framework, brackets projecting rearwardly beyond the rear edge of the framework and having sockets opening at an angle to the plane of the framework, means including pivot pins secured to a rear wall and disposed for reception in the sockets only when the framework is advanced toward the wall-in a position at an angle to a horizontal plane, said framework being swingable about such pivot pins when received in the sockets into horizontal position, and said brackets and said pivot pins thus interengaged cooperating to restrain movement of said frame away from the wall while in such horizontal position, and means to support the outer edge of the framework in horizontal position.

14. A seat convertible into a berth comprising a frame disposed substantially at seat level, a second similar frame adapted to rest upon the first from the ends, an upper framebrackets from framework lower end of the inclined horizontal, to prevent upward movement of the frames rear edge, and disengagement of the brackets from their pins, either by relative vertical or horizontal movement, and strut means interengageable between the forward edges of the frames to prevent downward swinging of the second or upper frame.

15. A seat convertible into a. berth comprising a' frame disposed substantially at seat level, a second similar frame adapted to rest upon the first frame, pins spaced above the first frame, and slotted brackets upon the rear edge of the second frame, supportingly and pivotally engaged with said ins when the second frame is tilted downwardly and of the brackets, when the second frame is horizontal, to prevent upward movement of the frames rear edge, and disengagement of the the r. pins, either by relative vertical or horizontal movement, strut means interengageablebetween-the forward edges of the frames to prevent downward swinging of the secthe strut means, at each end, to the engaged a seat frame to and strengthen the first framework, seat cushion means of a size and shape to rest upon and to cover the second framework, and to 5 constitute the seat of the arrangement, or to rest upon one of the said frameworks to constitute mattress means therefor, loose back cushion means of a size and shape to rest upon the other framework to constitute mattressmeans therefor and in seat-forming position of the frameworks to rest upon and to be supported above the second in inclined position, to constitute the back of the seat arrangement, and means to support the second framework at will elevated above the first, to constitute an upper berth element.

17. In combination with an approximately level seat and an upright support at the rear of the seat, a wide cushion section and a narrow cushion section hingedly connected, the narrow section,

and likewise the wide section, when the hinged connection rests upon the seat, being each in clined upward for abutment of their free edges against the support, such inclination of the sections being at a greater or lesser angle from the horizontal depending upon the spacing of the hinged connection from the support, and the wide section being braced and definitely spaced from the support by the interengagement of the narrow section between the wide sections lower port.

18. In combination an upright support, an approximately level seat extending from said support forward, a back unconnected to either the v7 edge and the sup- I edge of said wider rotative movement of such ends support or the seat, disposed wholly above said seat and adjacent the support, and supported by and upon the rear portion of such seats permanently to one adjacent section, for disposition of said sections in coplanar relation to. form a continuous cushion, or;in backforming position, for relative angular displacement of said two sections in varying degrees, the free edge of each section in such position abutting the support and the hinged edges being spaced at different intervals from the support corresponding to difierent relative anguof said sections and different inwider section relative to the upright support, the narrower section being received in the triangular space between the wider section, the seat, the latter to restrain movement of the lower edge diiferent inclined positions. 19. In a convertible seat and berth arrangea lower cushion supporting frame including constitute an upper berth element.

20. In a seat arrangement, a seat structure adjacent to and extending along a wall, an arm rest adapted to divide said seat structure into a plu rality of seat spaces including a generally horizontal, rearwardly extending arm, and a front generally upright arm, wall releasably supporting 21. A berth framework comprising two sections assembled inedge-to-edge relationship, and reparallel coplanar arrangement, restraining all relative non- Jacent edges, and interengageable ried by the other ends of the adjacent edges of said sections operable, with said members, to support the edge of one section directly from and and the support, and abutting solely bythe adjacent edge of the other section. thus to constitute a unitary frame.

23.- A berth framework comprising two sections assembled in edge to edge relationship, a memher having thereinja keyhole socket opening upwardlycarried by the edge of one section adjacent to the other section, and a flat pin projectin; from the adjacent edge of such other'section tor edgewise engagement in and removal from said keyhole socketonly by relative movement 10 of said sections in relatively tilted position, and said pin being or a" width to rotate within the circular portionoi said keyhole socket for relative rotation of said sections from relatively tilted into substantially coplanar relationship, to lock them against relative displacement thereafter in a direction perpendicular thereto to constitute a unitary frame.

ELLIOTT G. EMERY, JR. HUDSON '1. PATTEN. Jn. 

